toni cade bambara: i start with the recognition that we are at war
Mar 2, 2024
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Exploring the impact of Toni Morrison and Tony Cade Bambara, the war for truth and human potential, embracing truth and identity, reflections on writing and ethical dilemmas, social media influence and responsibility, and the power of written expression and social responsibility are some of the intriguing topics discussed in this podcast.
Embracing cultural traditions challenges societal norms and celebrates ordinary struggles.
Writing facilitates self-reflection and reshaping power dynamics in the teacher-student relationship.
Beauty and oratory skills can unjustly shape authority and sway collective beliefs, necessitating responsibility and accountability in writing.
Deep dives
Truth Telling and Usable Truths
In a society where nonfiction was mundane homework, the speaker's journey towards appreciating nonfiction began in graduate school. It was through understanding the human tapestry of stories and the richness of humanity that nonfiction became engaging and valuable. By highlighting the importance of telling truths about ordinary lives and celebrating struggles, the speaker emphasizes the significance of usable truths that challenge societal norms, like embracing cultural traditions in the face of imposed standards.
Writing for Personal Development
For the speaker, writing was a tool for self-instruction and development long before it became serious. Writing served as a means to monitor and track personal growth, especially as the speaker ventured into teaching. By acknowledging the potentially colonial nature of the teacher-student relationship, the speaker highlights the importance of refashioning this dynamic along progressive lines. Writing, then, becomes an act of self-discovery and self-reflection to navigate and challenge established power dynamics.
Building a Nation and Intonation
The speaker delves into writing beyond the confines of an audience or industry, emphasizing writing for intrinsic reasons. The notion of building a nation extends to building one's intonation, the essence of self and consciousness. This resonates with the idea of revolution starting within the body, emphasizing the significance of self-awareness, self-expression, and progressive nation-building at personal and collective levels.
Writing for Discovery and Reflection
In the context of teaching, the speaker's writing journey was intertwined with self-monitoring, self-discovery, and self-reflection. Writing acted as a tool to hear oneself, to check personal growth, and as a method of continuous discovery. By acknowledging the complexities within the teacher-student relationship and the need for courage to reshape it progressively, writing became a means of navigating power dynamics and introspection.
The Power of Influence Through Appearance and Communication
The podcast delves into how one's appearance, particularly beauty, can impact their perceived trustworthiness and authority. The speaker reflects on the influence of their physical attractiveness and oratory skills in gaining undue authority and shaping collective beliefs. They highlight the ease with which the populace can be swayed by visuals and emotional performances, raising concerns about the responsibility that comes with such influence.
The Value of Writing in Self-Accountability and Social Critique
The episode emphasizes the importance of writing as a tool for personal accountability and critical reflection. By referencing the insights of Toni Cade Bambara, the speaker underscores how writing allows individuals to stay grounded in usable truths, fostering honesty and discipline. Through writing, one can challenge traditional power dynamics, question authority, and maintain a sense of responsibility towards oneself and the audience. Writing serves as a means to avoid being perceived as useless or dangerous, ensuring integrity and continuous growth.
captioned live! we took one hour to read four paragraphs together. excerpt from: Conversations with Toni Cade Bambara, edited by Thabiti Lewis. I don’t usually save my lives because (1) that requires editing and I am already drowning in administrative work and (2) I enjoy existing in temporal space for only a moment in time, rather than being replayable and rewatchable and forwardable all the time. it’s a weird thing to watch happen to your personhood. but this one i found to be really lovely and helpful, so here it is. i hope you enjoyyy.
correct video transcript available at ismatu.substack.com.
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